WorkForce Ahead

WorkForce Ahead is the most comprehensive analysis of Ontario's food processing labour force ever undertaken. It points to the growing difficulty in finding enough workers with the skills needed to keep Ontario's food processing industry vigorous and productive. The full report (205 pages) and a summary (20 pages) are both posted on the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors website (http://www.aofp.ca).

The Alliance commissioned the study, which was also funded by the Business Development Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Ontario's food industry is a vital part of the economy. Its value of shipments is third in the manufacturing industry in Ontario. Collectively, it employs nearly 100,000 workers.

Please take a few minutes to read through the WorkForce Ahead. The recommendations in the report point to suggestions and ideas that food companies, associations, government and others should consider for the industry to remain competitive.

If you have any questions about the findings of the study, or what is being done to address the issues and recommendations, please contact:

Jane Graham, Executive Director
Alliance of Ontario Food Processors
(519) 767-5599
Email: alliance@sentex.net

Chuck Bokor, Business and Investment Analyst
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
(519) 826-3748
Email: chuck.bokor@ontario.ca

The summary contains all the critical "nuggets" of information from the study. The full report has more details, including an extensive bibliography, sector-specific information, self-assessment tools for employers, the survey questions and much more. To see the full report, please go to the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors website.